With negotiations about a March fixture continuing, it emerged yesterday that Yugoslavia may play at Lansdowne Road in April. FAI officials were known to be considering at least two other options for the April 29th date, but it appears that they are attracted by the prospect of a meeting with Yugoslavia who are grouped with Germany, Iran and the US in next summer's World Cup finals.
If the game goes ahead, it will be only the third time that the Yugoslavs have played in Dublin. Their first visit in 1955 precipitated calls for a boycott of the game by Catholic Church authorities, as a protest against the Tito regime.
There were no such demonstrations on their second visit, this time at Lansdowne Road, when goals from Mick McCarthy and Kevin Moran gave Ireland an emphatic 2-0 victory in the run-up to the finals of the 1988 European Championship in Germany.
It is hoped that the proposed March fixture against the Czech Republic in Prague will be confirmed today.
Mexico remain favourites to fill the vacant date at Lansdowne Road in May, but at this point, it has yet to be confirmed. It is expected that discussions with agents acting on the Mexicans' behalf will be finalised early in the new year.
Earlier indications that the post of National Director of Coaching, vacant since the resignation of Joe McGrath 18 months ago, would be filled this week have proved wide of the mark. An announcement is not expected until the end of the month.
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